Department store chain gets top marks for its fridge and washer-dryer ranges, beating other leading brands.
John Lewis' JLBILIC02 built-in tall fridge, came top out of the models in its category when consumer advice magazine Which? put fridges on test. The own-brand fridge scored 70% and was praised for its spacious design, complete with wine rack, and quick cooling. Hotpoint's HT303NI fridge came second in the test, scoring 69%.

The department store's washer dryer also scored well, coming second in its category with 73%. Its JLWD1609 machine, retailing at £549, bagged a Which? Best Buy and produced "7kg of spotless laundry in little more than two hours", said judges. It also offered good water and energy efficiency.

The top spot in the washer-dryer category went to joint winners AEG-Electrolux and Miele, who both scored 76%. Also tested were machines from Indesit, Bosch, Zanussi, Hotpoint and LG.

Electrical manufacturer Bosch also performed well in the fridge tests, with its KSR30N01GB model topping the freestanding tall category with 87% and what the judges described as "outstanding" test results. At £375 it was also awarded a Which? Best Buy.

Bosch's KTR16A21Gb came out on top in the freestanding small category with 74%, praised for its low running costs and the fact that its internal temperature isn't affected by fluctuations in room temperature.

John Lewis enjoyed a 4.7% increase in sales for the week to September 26 compared with the same period last year. Home sales were up 1.4%, while electricals and home technology was up 1.3%.